Announcing Clery Center’s 2024 Campus Safety Impact Award Winner

Clery Center is pleased to announce that The C.P.R. in Action Initiative at Sewanee: The University of the South is the winner of our 2024 Campus Safety Impact Award!

Key collaborators of this program include: 

• Rachel Fredericks, Director of Inclusive Excellence
• Sylvia Gray, Title IX Coordinator and Senior Director of Equity & Equal Opportunity
• Tarneka Ezell, Assistant Director of Inclusive Programs and Student Engagement
• Kaylei Goodine, Deputy Title IX Coordinator
• Matt Brown, ADA Director
• Sibby Anderson-Thompkins, Vice Provost for Diversity Equity and Inclusion

Our National Advisory Council and selection committee considered many strong applications from colleges and universities across the country. When choosing a winner, we considered several factors, including collaboration with cross-campus and/or off-campus partners, innovation in developing new approaches to meet the evolving needs of the community, and commitment to advancing equity and inclusion. “This year's applications embody a commitment that goes beyond mere compliance, addressing the unique needs of each community with a focus on genuine prevention to create safer environments,” shared Jessica Mertz, Clery Center executive director. 

The C.P.R. In Action Initiative, established in 2021, is a comprehensive program that integrates three key components—Compliance, Prevention, and Resources—to address sexual violence and improve the overall safety and well-being of all students, with an emphasis on POC (People of Color)/BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) /minority identities and/or similar cultures within Sewanee’s campus.

1. Compliance:

• A unique "In Short Report" Swag Campaign was launched to raise awareness and motivate students to report incidents of sexual misconduct, hate crimes, and other discrimination.
• Sewanee also redefined their training approach, dedicating 50% of face-to-face campus sessions to building sexual integrity rather than merely condemning sexual misconduct, with an emphasis on cultural awareness.
• The Student Title IX Committee (STIX) implemented peer-to-peer campus trainings through a certification process
• Collaborative efforts with Sewanee PD focused on analyzing and improving the reporting and response to hate crimes and Clery Act offenses.

2. Prevention:

• The initiative harnessed student feedback to develop culturally specific programs that foster open dialogue on topics such as sexual misconduct, race, and belonging. 
• Programs like "Take Back the Night," "Real Talk Series," and "Racial Healing Circles" were introduced to give students a platform to share their stories with sexual misconduct and foster a sense of solidarity and understanding across different races and cultural groups.
• "Practice Lab" opportunities were offered, where students could learn and practice skills to navigate campus life safely and effectively, particularly in situations related to sexual misconduct and cultural awareness.

3. Resources:

• The C.P.R. initiative worked to enhance existing campus resources and develop new ones to better support students by utilizing data from climate surveys
• The Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX Department (EEOT) became a central figure in all cultural awareness initiatives, raising their visibility and ensuring students knew where to turn for help.
• Strategic placement of the Offices of Inclusive Excellence and EEOT within close proximity increased accessibility for students seeking support, fostering a more connected and supportive campus environment.
• Regular assessments were conducted to ensure that resources related to sexual misconduct were effective and culturally competent, ensuring they adequately served the needs of all students.

The C.P.R. In Action Initiative has had a profound and measurable impact on both individual students and the broader Sewanee campus community. By focusing on the intersection of compliance, prevention, and resources, the initiative has effectively addressed the complex issue of sexual violence, particularly as it affects POC/BIPOC and minority identities.

Highlights of the initiative’s success include:

• Increased Reporting: Following the "In Short Report" Swag Campaign, reports of discrimination surged from 5 to 30, reflecting a significant increase in student knowledge of and trust in campus reporting mechanisms. 
• Reduction in Sexual Violence against BIPOC: The initiative’s targeted approach has led to a dramatic decrease in sexual violence incidents involving students of color, dropping from 36% to 10%. 
• Engagement in Cultural Programs: The initiative saw robust participation in cultural programs, with an average attendance of 55 students per event. Notably, students of all racial backgrounds engaged in these programs, which is significant given the historical underrepresentation of minority students in campus activities.

We would also like to recognize two finalists who submitted compelling programs:

Fire & Life Safety – The University of Texas at Dallas

Utah Campus Safety Summit - University of Utah

We are incredibly grateful to each institution who took the time to submit their program for consideration and applaud the impactful way campuses are improving the overall well-being of their communities. Please be sure to check back next spring when we reopen the application for 2025 submissions!